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Illinois Coastal Management Program Framework

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ICMP Framework

Overview (See Chapter 7 of Program Document for details)

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is the state agency responsible for development and implementation of the ICMP. The mission of the IDNR is to manage, protect, and sustain Illinois’ natural and cultural resources, further the public’s understanding and appreciation of those resources, and promote the education, science and public safety of our natural resources for present and future generations.

The implementation of the ICMP will be conducted through existing State land and water resource authorities, within state and federal rules and regulations. Chapter 9 and Appendix C describe the existing authorities which relate to the management and regulation of the land and water resources within the coastal zone, and the state agencies which administer those authorities.

The IDNR’s and the IEPA’s statutory authorities and enforceable policies are both comprehensive and specific in regulating land and water uses, controlling development, and resolving conflicts among competing uses. The authorities vested within the IDNR and the IEPA comprise the crucial underpinnings for enforcing the policies for the special management areas and issues cited under Chapter 6, which will guide the management of the uses and areas identified in the ICMP. These statutory authorities, together with other existing cooperative and coordinative linkages between the IDNR and the IEPA, comprise the basic jurisdictional framework which will ensure proper implementation of the ICMP policies.

The following describes the roles of the various groups in administering the ICMP:

ICMP Administrative Office – IDNR Office of Resource Conservation

Administration and implementation of the ICMP will be housed within the IDNR Office of Resource Conservation (ORC). The ORC staffing plan shall provide for the tasks necessary for the proper administration and implementation of the ICMP, which include the following main components:

ICMP staff shall provide for continuing consultation and coordination between the IDNR and with other state agencies to assure the full participation of those agencies in carrying out the purposes and management policies as cited in the ICMP.

ICMP staff will administer an Illinois Coastal Grants Program, making available annual funds for competitive grants.

ICMP staff will coordinate with the IEPA in developing a Nonpoint Pollution Control Plan designed to improve water quality that will be incorporated into Illinois’ 319 Program.

ICMP staff will administer reviews for Federal Consistency to ensure that federal action within the coastal zone is consistent with the ICMP.

Carrying out the above responsibilities will require the following services and support:

Fiscal management

Grant administration

Program development

Resource management

Project management

GIS and Website support

A new ICMP unit will be created within the Office of Resource Conservation. The ORC unit will carry out these responsibilities from the IDNR offices in Chicago. Program support will be provided from the IDNR headquarters in Springfield. Fiscal support will be provided from the ORC Division of Administrative Services. The IDNR Office of Realty and Environmental Planning will offer support for land acquisitions funded through ICMP grants and for conducting internal reviews initiated by ICMP staff under the Comprehensive Environmental Review Process (CERP) for actions funded through the ICMP. This will be done to ensure that they comply with relevant state and federal environmental statutes.

The IDNR’s Office of Water Resources- Division of Water Resource Management - Lake Michigan Programs Section is responsible for the management of the state's interests in Lake Michigan and issues permits for work in and along the Lake Michigan shore. The Section also administers the allocation of water from Lake Michigan and monitors technical studies and data collection activities related to the lake level, bank erosion and sediment movement. ICMP will work closely with the Lake Michigan office of OWR to meet with the needs of the coastal communities and local governments.

Other ORC divisions and IDNR offices will provide support to facilitate administration, agency coordination and consultation, and to satisfy other special needs, such as GIS, website, procurement of services, and legal support as needed.

The initial ICMP will consist of 5 full-time staff to effectively administer the ICMP Program. There are numerous ICMP administrative requirements such as ensuring state and federal consistency, developing the coastal NPS program, conducting TAC and CAG meetings, maintaining a website, and fulfilling numerous reporting requirements. The ICMP grants program will be a major work effort, involving grant workshops, project monitoring, and grant reporting.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

The TAC will provide the forum for state agency input, consistency review, and coordination with other state or local agencies on projects or issues which could have an effect on land and water resources within the coastal zone. The TAC will serve as the central mechanism in ensuring that all State agencies exercising their authorities within the coastal zone will adhere to the ICMP policies and management techniques.

The TAC is composed of the following state agency/offices which are responsible for implementation of the key state authorities, programs and policies cited in the ICMP. The TAC also includes a representative from the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program staff which conduct research on water resources in the Great Lakes region, providing a valuable source for information and an interstate link.

IDNR Office of Water Resources

IDNR Office of Realty and Environmental Planning

IDNR Office of Resource Conservation

IDNR Office of Land Management

Illinois State Geological Survey

Illinois Natural History Survey

Illinois Waste Management Research Center

Illinois State Water Survey

IEPA Bureau of Water

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Program

The TAC will formally meet twice per year, with additional meetings held when determined necessary. Representation on the TAC is subject to approval by the IDNR Director. The following provides a brief summary description of the duties and functions of the TAC:

The major duties for this committee will be as follows:

Review and provide comment on the studies/projects for recommendation under the Request for Proposals (RFP’s) annual grant application cycle

The committee members would independently review and rank the grant applications using standardized evaluation criteria (using a point system). The grant applications will undergo a technical evaluation using results-based measures including, quality of proposal, staffing plan, benefit/cost ratio etc., in addressing the priority areas as recommended. These 10 representatives will submit their grant rankings to the IDNR Director, who will determine the annual grant awards.

Coastal Advisory Group (CAG)

The CAG will provide a forum for broad public input on regional issues affecting Illinois’ Lake Michigan coastal resources and on the direction of the ICMP. The CAG will be vital to the ICMP, in that it will provide a diverse perspective on coastal issues meriting special program attention and a close link between the ICMP and its numerous stakeholders.

The CAG will provide another forum for notification, input, and coordination with state or local agencies on projects or issues which could have an effect on land and water resources within the coastal zone. This will serve as a supporting mechanism to the TAC, in ensuring adherence to the ICMP policies and management techniques. The major duties for the CAG will be to:

Assist in identifying areas or emerging issues meriting special program attention.

Provide recommendations on priorities for studies/projects to be included in the annual grant application cycle.

Provide recommendations on policy direction, comprehensive coastal resource management issues, and long term development goals in administering the ICMP.

Provide assistance in areas of conflict resolution.

The Coastal Advisory Group includes one representative from each of the following:

Office of the Lieutenant Governor

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Alliance for the Great Lakes

Lake County Forest Preserve District

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Chicago Wilderness

Lake Michigan Ecosystem Partnership

Lake Calumet Ecosystem Partnership

Friends of the Chicago River

Lake County Stormwater Management Commission

Illinois International Port District

The CAG will also include one municipal representative from each of the three geomorphic coastal regions, and one from each of the two inland river corridor areas, as follows, since each region has different management needs, challenges, and opportunities. The regional representatives will rotate on an biennnial basis, or as agreed to by the municipalities represented within that region.

The regional representative may be from a department, a park district, a commission, or the community, subject to the approval of the municipalities identified within that region. Regional representation on the CAG will rotate on a biennial basis, or as agreed to by the municipalities. The CAG will meet annually, with additional meetings held when determined necessary. Local legislators are invited to attend CAG Meetings.

Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) provides a forum for resource or project related input on the specific issues and areas meriting special attention through the ICMP, as identified in Chapter 6 and in Appendix D.

The IDNR recommended the formation of technical advisory groups to assist in developing issue papers with respect to a general issue or a specific geographic area which may merit attention through the ICMP. Through responses we received from questionnaires and other outreach, the following list below are the eight general issues and five geographic areas which were recommended as meriting special attention. The Issue Papers prepared by these TAGs (see Appendix D) served as the backbone in determining the Special Management Areas for the ICMP, as described in Chapter 6. There is a broad spectrum of over 100 individuals represented on these TAGs, including representatives from city/county/state government, special interest groups, universities, along with property owners and local interested citizens.